Barnes TSX, positive preliminary results

[NimrodRx]

After reading so much positive about the "new" Barnes bullet, I just had to give em a try.  Seems that everyone is claiming the new design has solved the fouling, expansion and "finicky" accuracy issues that have plagued the Barnes X.  Not a darned thing wrong with my trusted Hornady Interbonds, but what the heck, it's only $ right    Midway ran a sale on them last month and I bit.

I am offering this info. bc I found very little to go on when researching loads for this bullet in the .30-06.  I in NO WAY recommend anyone accept this data as fact.  I'm simply a hobby shooter in a internet forum.  Work up your own loads and be safe.  This load could be DANGEROUS in your rifle.

That being said, here's what worked in MY rifle.  I use H4350 with my Interbonds, so that was the powder I chose to start with.  Barnes recommends seating the bullets .05 off the lands.  Other's experiences confirmed this.  I started with a pressure check from 54gr up to 59gr (my intended charge for groups was 58gr).  No signs of pressure.  I then loaded groups of 3 rounds each at .07, .05, and .03 off the lands.  The following are my results

Rifle:  Sako Finnbear chambered in .30-06 Sprngfld
Bullet:  168gr Barnes BTSP Triple Shock X Bullet
Case:  Fire formed Lapua
Primer:  Fed 210M
Powder: 58gr H4350
2 mph N wind, 72 deg, 68% humidity

Groups @ 100yrd

.07" off lands = 1.25"
.05" off lands = 0.67"
.03" off lands = 1.38"

It seems as if I have found a sweet spot.  Can't get to the range next week, but the week after I will be loading up a dozen .05" off the lands to play with, shoot a 5 shot group, and run them over the chrono.  "Published" data says I should be sneaking up on 2900fps.  I'm certain I can shoot even better with this load.  I felt myself pull the 3rd shot that resulted in 0.67.  The first two were a ragged hole. 

I'm not ready to sell the interbonds on my shelf yet, but this bullet is very promising in my rifle.  I will be using it on whitetail this year (yes, I know it's overkill, but I want to see some holes in flesh from this bullet) and plan to use it out west next year. 
   

[Tn Jim]

My son just started loading the 180 grain TSX in his '06 a few weeks ago. Haven't had the chance to really wring them out yet, but they look promising so far. His best group was at .50 off also. If they get to be as accurate as we hope I'm thinking of trying them in my 7-08. Keep us posted how they do.

[longwinters]

The 140's shot great out of my 7m-08.  Did not have fantastic accuracy with the 120's but many others swear by them.

Long

[Redhawk1]

Glad to see your positive feed back...

[orchemo]

I am farily new to rile reloading and am wanting to load some 140 TSX for a 270 WSM. My question is about OAL and where the top of the case is relative to the rings around the bullet. My initial loading has the case mouth between the 1st (top) and 2nd ring with an appropiate OAL. Is this what othere have?

Thanks
Eric

[kyote]

hey folks,
             This is from the owner of the company that is going to finish customizing my son Rifle.
I had told him I thought the barnes to be the best hunting bullet.and in building my sons rifle I really was not looking for speed.any who here is what he wrote me.
Bill,
 
Great, we will go with the 7-08 Ack.
 
Just a couple of notes on bullets if you are interested??
 
As you know, we test a lot of guns and bullets every year.  In the last 10 years we have averaged over 30,000 rounds per year.  This is no big deal as there are of bunch of other guys out there that shoot just as much.  What is a big deal however, is that no one tests as many bullets as we do on live game.
 
We operate our own outfitting service in both Idaho & Southern Africa.  This equals a whole lot of bullet recovery.  One of my stories on bullet performance just came out in African Hunter magazine with pictures of recovered bullets.  There is another story on the same subject due out in African Hunter and Precision Shooting in Sept.  Again lots of pictures.
 
Bottom line, nothing on planet earth performs like the new Barnes TSX or MRX.  At any speed or any caliber.   They always open, give max penetration and no blow ups.
 
You are right about speed in one sense, faster isn't necessarily better, but if you want speed the TSX will do it.
 
Any how, we are moving forward with the gun and we will order the dies.  If you are interested I recommend the 150 gr. TSX or Sciroccos for this.
 
Regards;

[ghr]

loaded 168 tsx for the 30-06 with mixed results. best group was 1.5".  will try again next month

[kyote]

bump....